Short Summary

British Member of Parliament, Mr. John Stonehouse, went on trial in London on Tuesday (27?

Description

British Member of Parliament, Mr. John Stonehouse, went on trial in London on Tuesday (27 April) facing 21 charges of conspiracy, theft and fraud involving more than GBP 170,000 (350,000 U.S. dollars) and two more of making false statements to get legal aid.

The 50-year-old MP for Walsall North, who now says he supports the English National Party, is conducting his own defence in the Old Bailey's famous Number One court. He has denied all the charges.

His 29-year-old former secretary, Mrs. Sheila Buckley, faces six charges of theft of proceeds of cheques and plotting to defraud.

The charges resulted after Mr. Stonehouse was arrested in Melbourne, Australia, on extradition charges brought by the British authorities. He had previously disappeared from a Florida beach.

During his trial Mr. Stonehouse has undertaken to conduct constituency business, as he did during the committal proceedings. The rial is expected to last about three months.